MDM tragedy, Saran village school principal sentenced to 17 yr imprisonment

Speed Post News Network

Patna: Court of additional district and sessions judge ,Saran, Vijay Ananad Tiwari on Monday sentenced Ms Meena Devi, the then principal of Dharmshati middle School, Gandaman, under Mashrakh block to 17 year imprisonment  term for mid-day meal (MDM) tragedy in which 23 children had died on July 16, 2013.
Meena was sentenced to 10 year imprisonment under section 304 IPC and seven years jail under section 308 of IPC. According to the court order, the two sentences would run separately not concurrently. Her husband, who was supplier of food materials to the school, was acquitted.
The school was closed following the death of 23 children and its students were shifted to neighbouring middle school. The Gandaman middle school mid-day meal tragedy was worst tragedy under the MDM scheme and the Government of India had sent its team led by then additional secretary, HRD, Amarjit Singh to Saran. Following a report submitted by Singh, the MDM scheme was revamped and arrrangements were made for constitution of village level committees to monitor MDM schemes and appoint separate cooks for the scheme.